Comments on: Name This Tool http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:53:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Ed Bloomfield http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-267467 Ed Bloomfield Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:30:29 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-267467 Came on line to look for brushes for my Thor drill Code E110. Let me know if you know a source. I tok over use of the drill in 1978 and have used it since. Small, powerful and reliable. The serial number is 9582-unreadable numbers. Thanks. Came on line to look for brushes for my Thor drill Code E110. Let me know if you know a source. I tok over use of the drill in 1978 and have used it since. Small, powerful and reliable. The serial number is 9582-unreadable numbers. Thanks.

]]> By: Mike Walton http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-256807 Mike Walton Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:21:27 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-256807 Don, it seems we both had similar situations. My dad gave me one just like yours except the gray paint was worn badly. It is at least 20 years old and still works well. It's a single speed, no reverse but plenty powerful. You might try an electric motor repair shop for brushes. I'll bypass the sending photos part since except for the serial numbers the two are the same. Small world huh? I guess THOR made several devices based on the same base unit... It would be interesting to see if there are more out there. Don, it seems we both had similar situations. My dad gave me one just like yours except the gray paint was worn badly. It is at least 20 years old and still works well. It’s a single speed, no reverse but plenty powerful. You might try an electric motor repair shop for brushes. I’ll bypass the sending photos part since except for the serial numbers the two are the same.
Small world huh?
I guess THOR made several devices based on the same base unit… It would be interesting to see if there are more out there.

]]> By: Don Boroughs http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-194186 Don Boroughs Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:10:56 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-194186 I was looking for info on a power drill my dad (who used to run a power tool repair business) gave me years ago and I couldn't believe my eyes when I found this "Name This Tool" post. What I have is a Thor 1/4" compact drill that has "Code: E 110" (the model no., I guess) on the specifications plate on top. From the rear of the drill up to the front-most point of the trigger it looks exactly like the tool pictured here. The drill measures ~6-1/4" from the rear to the end of the chuck and ~5-5/8" from the bottom of the grip to the top. I still use it although it needs a new set of brushes. I posted some photos of it at http://www.flickr.com/photos/donboroughs/ . I was looking for info on a power drill my dad (who used to run a power tool repair business) gave me years ago and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I found this “Name This Tool” post. What I have is a Thor 1/4″ compact drill that has “Code: E 110″ (the model no., I guess) on the specifications plate on top. From the rear of the drill up to the front-most point of the trigger it looks exactly like the tool pictured here. The drill measures ~6-1/4″ from the rear to the end of the chuck and ~5-5/8″ from the bottom of the grip to the top. I still use it although it needs a new set of brushes.
I posted some photos of it at http://www.flickr.com/photos/donboroughs/ .

]]> By: miller white http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-138899 miller white Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:53:01 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-138899 no that aint no solderin gun, thats a wood burnin no gas havin apparatus no that aint no solderin gun, thats a wood burnin no gas havin apparatus

]]> By: Kevin M. Lomas http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-124354 Kevin M. Lomas Sun, 30 Sep 2007 15:11:50 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-124354 It is a soldering iron. I have used them in the navy, stationed aboard several ships and working in tool issue as an electrician. It is a soldering iron. I have used them in the navy, stationed aboard several ships and working in tool issue as an electrician.

]]> By: Bob http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-104697 Bob Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:56:53 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-104697 Many years ago, I had and used a hand tool with a tip just like that one to cut the inner traces on IBM 370 backplanes. I was told at the time there was a power tool to do the job but had never seen one. Last week I came across one that had been converted into a kids ray-gun and went off googleing for more info and came across this posting. Here is a link to what information I have collected so far. Including what I found here and elsewhere. <a href="http://ibmcollectables.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=Thor" rel="nofollow">http://ibmcollectables.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=Thor</a> or <a href="http://tinyurl.com/3ex3yh" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/3ex3yh</a> This tool is missing th rubber hose that connected the pump to the tip. Many years ago, I had and used a hand tool with a tip just like that one to cut the inner traces on IBM 370 backplanes. I was told at the time there was a power tool to do the job but had never seen one. Last week I came across one that had been converted into a kids ray-gun and went off googleing for more info and came across this posting. Here is a link to what information I have collected so far. Including what I found here and elsewhere.
http://ibmcollectables.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=Thor
or http://tinyurl.com/3ex3yh

This tool is missing th rubber hose that connected the pump to the tip.

]]> By: whimsy http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-102627 whimsy Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:20:14 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-102627 I'll second the hot knife answer as well. I have seen it being used many times in nautical shops etc. for cutting polyester / 'plastic' rope: you can cut to length and melt the ends to keep them fron fraying at the same time. Pretty cool purchase therefore, especially since it seems to be a nice old, dependable model (check out that over the top heavy build: a modern one would be a flimsy glue gun-like thingy, right?). I’ll second the hot knife answer as well. I have seen it being used many times in nautical shops etc. for cutting polyester / ‘plastic’ rope: you can cut to length and melt the ends to keep them fron fraying at the same time. Pretty cool purchase therefore, especially since it seems to be a nice old, dependable model (check out that over the top heavy build: a modern one would be a flimsy glue gun-like thingy, right?).

]]> By: Max S. http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-102186 Max S. Mon, 06 Aug 2007 20:22:18 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-102186 I second that hot knife answer from Cameron. I second that hot knife answer from Cameron.

]]> By: Cameron Russ http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-101856 Cameron Russ Sun, 05 Aug 2007 23:24:27 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-101856 It is a hot knife. Pull the trigger and the blade on the end heats up, letting you slice through plastic mesh or sheet and seal the edge at the same time. I have used on of these many times. It is a hot knife. Pull the trigger and the blade on the end heats up, letting you slice through plastic mesh or sheet and seal the edge at the same time. I have used on of these many times.

]]> By: Lee http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100505 Lee Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:12:24 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100505 Yep! They've had some pretty good stuff recently. You're right though... For a while there, it was just the same old stuff every week. Yep! They’ve had some pretty good stuff recently. You’re right though… For a while there, it was just the same old stuff every week.

]]> By: Blind http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100373 Blind Thu, 02 Aug 2007 04:10:06 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100373 They finally had a oscilloscope at the surplus sale? Damn, I need to start going to it again. I stopped going when I got tired of looking at the same crap every week. They finally had a oscilloscope at the surplus sale? Damn, I need to start going to it again. I stopped going when I got tired of looking at the same crap every week.

]]> By: Lee http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100322 Lee Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:26:09 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100322 I've uploaded four more pics of the tip to my Flickr site: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1022/979444175_d87e1337a7_o.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1432/979444287_6959c88132_o.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1315/979444323_6dd3491de5_o.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1115/979444367_c7dc5c6f97_o.jpg I just plugged the tool in again, and it's very slight, but it feels like a vacuum is formed on the brass "T" fitting on the bottom of the unit when you pull the trigger. I’ve uploaded four more pics of the tip to my Flickr site:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1022/979444175_d87e1337a7_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1432/979444287_6959c88132_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1315/979444323_6dd3491de5_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1115/979444367_c7dc5c6f97_o.jpg

I just plugged the tool in again, and it’s very slight, but it feels like a vacuum is formed on the brass “T” fitting on the bottom of the unit when you pull the trigger.

]]> By: false_cause http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100312 false_cause Thu, 02 Aug 2007 00:50:11 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100312 Is that a reciprocating hot knife? Is that a reciprocating hot knife?

]]> By: Nate Bezanson http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100275 Nate Bezanson Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:23:10 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100275 Steve, now you've got me curious what the cutting tip looks like! I'd imagine it's not totally unlike an unwrapping tool -- a hollow sleeve with some sharpness around the perimeter, like an ultra-narrow hole saw. I would *love* to see a demonstration of how this thing works, a la http://www.circuittechctr.com/guides/guides.shtml for soldering. Steve, now you’ve got me curious what the cutting tip looks like! I’d imagine it’s not totally unlike an unwrapping tool — a hollow sleeve with some sharpness around the perimeter, like an ultra-narrow hole saw. I would *love* to see a demonstration of how this thing works, a la http://www.circuittechctr.com/guides/guides.shtml for soldering.

]]> By: jbroome http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100249 jbroome Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:00:17 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100249 Hotknife for plastics? Hotknife for plastics?

]]> By: Lee http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100248 Lee Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:00:15 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100248 Wow, Steve! Sounds like you may have nailed it! Actually, it's funny that you mention IBM because that's where I work and it's where I bought the tool... Rather than pay to have all of their old/obsolete equipment recycled, our IBM site holds a "junk sale" every Wednesday where their employees can go and buy stuff like this at yard sale prices (in addition to this tool, I picked up an oscilloscope a few weeks ago for $30!). If any of you want to see the high-resolution versions of these pics for more detail, I've got them on my Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leemarr/ Wow, Steve! Sounds like you may have nailed it!
Actually, it’s funny that you mention IBM because that’s where I work and it’s where I bought the tool… Rather than pay to have all of their old/obsolete equipment recycled, our IBM site holds a “junk sale” every Wednesday where their employees can go and buy stuff like this at yard sale prices (in addition to this tool, I picked up an oscilloscope a few weeks ago for $30!).

If any of you want to see the high-resolution versions of these pics for more detail, I’ve got them on my Flickr site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leemarr/

]]> By: Toolaremia http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100244 Toolaremia Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:43:52 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100244 Damn. I think Steve Keller has it cold. Damn. I think Steve Keller has it cold.

]]> By: Toolaremia http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100243 Toolaremia Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:42:40 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100243 Not a soldering gun. I'm betting there's a mixing auger inside that nozzle, and that it's for some kind of epoxy or other fluid dispensing system. Not a soldering gun. I’m betting there’s a mixing auger inside that nozzle, and that it’s for some kind of epoxy or other fluid dispensing system.

]]> By: Steve Keller http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100241 Steve Keller Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:38:45 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100241 Nope, not a soldering gun. Its a tool used in old "Big Iron" mainframe computer days to delete printed circuit connections to a pin on a circuit board. Old IBM 370 days computers had multi-layer circuit boards/backplanes and this tool would allow you to cut a trace on the 1st or 2nd layer. After deleting the trace a wire would be wrapped on the pin then to another to fix or change the circuitry. There was a vacuum to keep debris from falling on other circuitry. Nope, not a soldering gun. Its a tool used in old “Big Iron” mainframe computer days to delete printed circuit connections to a pin on a circuit board. Old IBM 370 days computers had multi-layer circuit boards/backplanes and this tool would allow you to cut a trace on the 1st or 2nd layer. After deleting the trace a wire would be wrapped on the pin then to another to fix or change the circuitry. There was a vacuum to keep debris from falling on other circuitry.

]]> By: phil miller http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100231 phil miller Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:15:53 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100231 it is a soldering gun. My dad had one like that. it is a soldering gun. My dad had one like that.

]]> By: Nate Bezanson http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100226 Nate Bezanson Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:59:17 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100226 Is there a burr or bit nestled in the tip? I'd guess that the air fittings would be for blowing/sucking away the dust created by grinding or other activity. Is there a burr or bit nestled in the tip? I’d guess that the air fittings would be for blowing/sucking away the dust created by grinding or other activity.

]]> By: Blind http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100222 Blind Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:51:35 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100222 I was thinking that the motor was running the fan that was sucking the hot air away from the heating element in the assembly so that the main heating element got nice and hot without the gun itself getting too warm. but that made no sense at all. Alternatively, I don't see a hole in the element for the desoldering, nor do i see a way to remove the removed solder. The barbs for air lines confuse me though. I was thinking that the motor was running the fan that was sucking the hot air away from the heating element in the assembly so that the main heating element got nice and hot without the gun itself getting too warm.

but that made no sense at all. Alternatively, I don’t see a hole in the element for the desoldering, nor do i see a way to remove the removed solder.

The barbs for air lines confuse me though.

]]> By: SlowJoeCrow http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100218 SlowJoeCrow Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:45:05 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100218 More like a de-soldering gun, with the motor running a vacuum pump. Or alternatively some type of plastic welding or sealing tool. More like a de-soldering gun, with the motor running a vacuum pump. Or alternatively some type of plastic welding or sealing tool.

]]> By: Bryan http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100211 Bryan Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:34:53 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100211 Yup, soldering gun. Yup, soldering gun.

]]> By: Adrian http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100205 Adrian Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:25:49 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/01/name-this-tool-2/#comment-100205 I'll 2nd the "soldering gun" I’ll 2nd the “soldering gun”

]]>