Looking for Linesman Tools

[42swing]

This is posted on the Tools forum also where it was suggested I post here as well.

I'm looking for a few lineman's tools to complete a signals machinists tool kit from 1943:

Adze, full head, 4 1/2 cut, handled

Clamp, wire, eccentric, come along, for wire 0 or smaller

Cutter, wire, 3/8" capacity, with insulated handles, 18-21" length

Hammer, mason's, 3lb, handled

Original date on the packing diagram is 1931, with a revision date of 1943. So I'm guessing tools from any year between 31 and 43 would be correct. Based on a little internet research, the adze, cutter, and hammer are similar to today's. There are several modern versions of the cable clamp, but I have no idea what the war-time clamp looks like.

Anybody have anything?

[markrdje]

I had a pair of hooks, belt from the 30's or 40's.they were primitive looking, nothing like they are today.I bet they made the feet hurt, rubbed sores the calves

[42swing]

Yep, I have the climbers and they do look like instruments of torture. I showed them to a good friend who was a linesman and did climb poles when a bucket wasn't available. He just shuddered...

[markrdje]

I might add climbing with safety strap around the pole(they called it hitch-hiking) was not considered climbing, doing it with your hands as a guide on the sides of the pole while climbing was.Kicking the gaffs in the pole wasn't correct either, you just stepped up the pole.The CCA poles(green colored) were very hard so you had to kick the gaffs in, then they might go in just 1/8".If you fell, it was supposed to be done gracefully.LOL

[Steve Webb]

The old creosote poles were rougher and gaffs went in easier. A lot of backyard electric poles down here and no way to get equipment in so lineman did climb even into 80's. Now they have little crawlers that go through yards. Last time I saw a pole climber was about 10 years ago. He was my age mid 50's then and was not thrilled about it.

[markrdje]

Being in shape is a big factor as well as for doing the work too.The last time I climbed a pole I was in my mid 50's.Oh they said the creosote caused cancer, putting your hands/arm in the transformer oil when changing the transformer taps taps didn't do you any good either.The cedar poles were easier to put the gaffs in too.Aw, enough on the old days.Being a lineman now is alot safer/better pay.

[MP 38]

Well, we don't climb as much as we use to 35 yrs. ago but believe me it is still part of the craft. With the primary voltages and customers not wanting interruptions of service its not a safe option a lot of times. If doing new construction it is still done though.

[markrdje]

I might add time has caused my climbing belt to shrink quite a bit LOL.

[MP 38]

That's very true. I had that problem too until a few yrs. ago when we all had to go to the fall arrest type belts, then what do you know, the belts fit again.

[markrdje]

I might add a climbing trick of the trade--ok while climbing a pole as you are taking a step up, your foot is moving up, the gaff is naturally away from the pole, I kept the gaff point rubbing against the pole lightly as moving the foot up, so if the other foot gaffs out, the other one will catch/go in the pole, thus no burning the pole.The other way has caused alot of falls.Of course, this technique takes alot of practice as everything else does