Mystery mill/well part/tool in Alameda, CA

[tankhousemap]

The owner of an c.1894 tank house in Alameda, CA emailed me with pictures of a mysterious piece of cast iron he found digging in the garden at the base of the tower. I don't recognize it - can anyone enlighten me? Looks like a specialty wrench of some kind? A part from of a regulator? A brake lever? Most of these towers are long gone, and most of the survivors lost their mills years ago, so I've only seen a few in action.

The mill is long gone, but I know it once filled a 10,000 gallon tank. Most domestic tanks around here held between 2,000 and 5,000 gallons.

Remarkably, the base of the pump seal survives, but doesn't have any markings. The only complete seals I've found around my beat (Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda) were manufactured by Flint and Walling in Kendallville, Indiana.

Any ID help is much appreciated!

Many thanks,

Aaron Goldstein
Berkeley, CA
Easy Bay Urban Tank House Map
https://aarongoldstein.us/tank-house-map

[mtblah]

Several of you guys know what that is , you have seen these before .

[Wayne]

REally must have forgot. Might be an early well drillers tool.

[tankhousemap]

Thanks, Wayne. Any idea what part of the process they would have used it for?

[Rustyironbob]

Blacksmith tool goes into anvil then can bend iron

[tankhousemap]

Interesting - like a mandrel?

[mtblah]

AH HA , Aaron , i told you how smart these guys are !

[Wayne]

I'm not sure. I just said well drillers tool because he said it was found around the well area. What ever it is, it's well built for a specific purpose. Not something just cobbled together. I'm going to post it on smokstak and see about any responses.

[Ron Stauffer]

I guess I didnt think that my masochistic tendencies were that unique when I first saw this "antique" tool. To anyone who has built their own house, shop etc which starts with grading, form setting and rebar placement that tool is identifiable. It is a rebar bender. It is a step up from when I had a pipe welded to my rear blade to hold rebar to bend and a step below a floor model combo bender/cutter with a long handle.

Mine

rebar bender.jpg

Available at Home Depot https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rebar-Bende ... /315507538

Ron Stauffer
Montrose CO

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

My guess is that tool was made specifically to bend some kind of metal by a blacksmith. Nothing small the studs are too far apart. Nice wallhanger.