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Mystery mill/well part/tool in Alameda, CA
Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2022 6:47 pm
by 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
Re: Mystery mill/well part/tool in Alameda, CA
Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2022 7:34 pm
by mtblah
Several of you guys know what that is , you have seen these before .
Re: Mystery mill/well part/tool in Alameda, CA
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2022 8:55 am
by Wayne
REally must have forgot. Might be an early well drillers tool.
Re: Mystery mill/well part/tool in Alameda, CA
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2022 12:43 pm
by tankhousemap
Thanks, Wayne. Any idea what part of the process they would have used it for?
Re: Mystery mill/well part/tool in Alameda, CA
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2022 8:26 pm
by Rustyironbob
Blacksmith tool goes into anvil then can bend iron
Re: Mystery mill/well part/tool in Alameda, CA
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2022 9:55 pm
by tankhousemap
Interesting - like a mandrel?
Re: Mystery mill/well part/tool in Alameda, CA
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2022 5:53 am
by mtblah
AH HA , Aaron , i told you how smart these guys are !
Re: Mystery mill/well part/tool in Alameda, CA
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2022 8:33 am
by 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.
Re: Mystery mill/well part/tool in Alameda, CA
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2022 10:38 am
by 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
Re: Mystery mill/well part/tool in Alameda, CA
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2022 12:34 pm
by 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.