Multitool.org Forum
+-

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.


“Footprint's” Owners club

gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
“Footprint's” Owners club
on: April 30, 2014, 08:37:10 PM

Lets see your examples of this robust tool


Everything’s adjustable


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #1 on: April 30, 2014, 08:39:51 PM


Here's some nice pictures from MultiMat  :salute:

I got myself a 'Tony Special' a couple weekends ago. I could not believe it when I stumbled on it in a pile of rusty old cack  :o 8). I looked at it & thought 'that looks like one of those Footprints Tony talks about'  immediately I looked to see if it had it's original factory adjustment bolt & sure enough it did  8) 8).

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

I asked 'how much for the old footprint'? I am sure the fella had absolutely no idea what a 'Footprint' was  :D :D but when I showed him the rusty old thing he said 'five bucks' , Done  8) :D.
 
(Image removed from quote.)
I know a certain cantankerous bath tape that may be meeting Mr.Footprint  :D

(Image removed from quote.)
It took quite a bit of work to get the rust off the old thing ,various sized wire wheels & then a good vinegar bath , Tony style  ;) :D. It was surprising how quickly the rust would reappear on the Footprint after I had cleaned it  :o , old fellas must of oiled their tools quite frequently  :think: :think:

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

I did some Googling & Footprint is still a ongoing concern & still based in Sheffield UK  8) here is there website http://www.footprint-tools.co.uk/index_home.htm, I read some sellers listing the wrench as having only a 12 month warranty ??? :think: :think:. The website lists the handle end as being a screw driver ;
(Image removed from quote.)
looks more like a pry bar to me  :think: >:D :D :D
Everything’s adjustable


us Offline Yadda

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 3,578
  • Lifelike and remarkably self similar
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #2 on: May 01, 2014, 06:58:06 PM
« Last Edit: May 01, 2014, 07:00:08 PM by Yadda »
"It didn't hurt, flirt, blood squirt, stuffed shirt, hang me on a tree
After I count down three rounds, in Hell I'll be in good company" -  The Dead South


de Offline lowtech

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 4,799
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #3 on: May 03, 2014, 04:45:06 PM
Thanks to Sparky, I can happily join this Club!
Thanks, pal!


us Offline David

  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 7,603
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #4 on: May 03, 2014, 09:07:43 PM
Thanks to Sparky I can join also.    :)
footprint 001.JPG
* footprint 001.JPG (Filesize: 103.09 KB)
footprint 007.JPG
* footprint 007.JPG (Filesize: 101.96 KB)
What? Enablers! Are you serrrrious? Where? I dont see any.
Hold Fast


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #5 on: May 03, 2014, 09:11:37 PM
They look very tidy David  :tu:

I think I will have to post 'my footprints user rules' later  :D
Everything’s adjustable


us Offline David

  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 7,603
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #6 on: May 04, 2014, 01:53:51 AM
They look very tidy David  :tu:

I think I will have to post 'my footprints user rules' later  :D



Well  I guess I had better use them as a hammer    :o  and put a 4' cheater pipe on the end of it for some added leverage.  :ahhh   Then post some more pics.   :D    :D
What? Enablers! Are you serrrrious? Where? I dont see any.
Hold Fast


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #7 on: May 04, 2014, 08:10:48 PM
They look very tidy David  :tu:

I think I will have to post 'my footprints user rules' later  :D



Well  I guess I had better use them as a hammer    :o  and put a 4' cheater pipe on the end of it for some added leverage.  :ahhh   Then post some more pics.   :D    :D


Thats what Stilsons are for David  :tu:

 :D
Everything’s adjustable


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #8 on: May 04, 2014, 08:27:44 PM


Footprint grips have an amazing history they go back to 1875  :o
The firm
http://footprint-tools.co.uk/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=4
The wrench
http://footprint-tools.co.uk/Plumbers-Tools

For those that have never used them before heres my beginners guide to using them  :)

Only do the screw up finger tight
They are great for doing conduit! (threaded rod, rounded off nuts an bolts etc)
They tend to bugger up the surface of whatever you use them on so for example you wouldn't use them on a set of bathroom taps  :dwts:
They only work in one direction
The 'screwdriver' is great for opening tins of paint
Don't squeeze them like pliers, just hook them on and push with the heel of your hand
The harder you push the harder they grip
 :cheers:






Everything’s adjustable


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #9 on: May 04, 2014, 08:32:01 PM


Bob did a very nice review sometime back  :salute:


Having never seen a Footprint on this side of the pond before (nor has anyone else around here for that matter) I was quite pleased when one magically showed up in the post this week! :cheers:




It is indeed a stoutly built tool. :salute: The folded metal handle is made from very thick steel plate, and the plier/wrench head is forged. I cannot imagine what it would take to damage one. The teeth are rather aggressive, and sharp. Mine is used, but it is in exceptionally good condition.  The only iron pipe I could locate here at the house was the handrailing I built for the kid's play fort. I didn't put much pressure on the handle of the Footprint and it was already grabbing on tight to the pipe. And the harder I pushed on the handle, the tighter it bit in. There's no question it is a professional grade tool.







FOOTPRINT
SHEFFIELD ENGLAND :)



Everything’s adjustable


us Offline David

  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 7,603
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #10 on: May 04, 2014, 10:15:22 PM
They look very tidy David  :tu:

I think I will have to post 'my footprints user rules' later  :D



Well  I guess I had better use them as a hammer    :o  and put a 4' cheater pipe on the end of it for some added leverage.  :ahhh   Then post some more pics.   :D    :D


Thats what Stilsons are for David  :tu:

 :D

 :D


Thanks for the users guide and history. They really are a clever tool.   :tu:    :)
What? Enablers! Are you serrrrious? Where? I dont see any.
Hold Fast


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #11 on: May 04, 2014, 10:40:30 PM

Thanks for the users guide and history. They really are a clever tool.   :tu:    :)


The 'guide' was aimed at the newer owners David not us older hands Mate  ;)

I was very suprised at how long they have been around  :o (I only found that history link today)
Everything’s adjustable


us Offline David

  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 7,603
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #12 on: May 04, 2014, 11:25:37 PM
I got to find one of those smaller ones some day. there were some on the bay a while back and forgot about them and they were gone. Got to pay better attension. Tony it was iteresting to me in the history at the 1875 point it said pipe-tongs or wrench. Having used chain tongs on pipe in the oilfield it finally soaked through my thick skull the working principle of this wrench. How much more handy than a chain-tong.    :)
What? Enablers! Are you serrrrious? Where? I dont see any.
Hold Fast


us Offline J-sews

  • Admin Team
  • *
  • Absolute Zombie Club
  • *
    • Posts: 23,220
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #13 on: May 05, 2014, 06:11:36 AM
Thanks again for mine Tony! :cheers: I did not realize there were so many variations! :o Did the design change that much over the years, or are all those intended to do different jobs, or...? ???



Lets see your examples of this robust tool


In order to be certain of having the right tool for every job.........one must first acquire a lot of tools


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #14 on: May 05, 2014, 08:42:08 AM
Did you see how many of mine are missing the original screw  ::)


I think they have only changed as they improved the jaws over the years  :think:
The top had a wider flat jaw added and the bottom triangular jaw was made up to match the top

A You can see the older bottom jaw has a triangle shape

B Newer jaws are square

C Newer top jaw is wider


Everything’s adjustable


us Offline David

  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 7,603
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #15 on: May 05, 2014, 08:52:02 AM
That's very interesting to see the change's over the years.  :tu:
What? Enablers! Are you serrrrious? Where? I dont see any.
Hold Fast


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #16 on: May 05, 2014, 09:09:51 AM
That's very interesting to see the change's over the years.  :tu:

Changes for the better I think,
they went from being very good for pipe work then added being able to grip the heads of bolts on flanges etc
Everything’s adjustable


us Offline J-sews

  • Admin Team
  • *
  • Absolute Zombie Club
  • *
    • Posts: 23,220
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #17 on: May 06, 2014, 02:52:05 AM
The difference between the A and the B bottom jaw must have been a pain in the butt on the shop floor. They had to add that whole bottom block and rivet it into place, then cut teeth into the whole sandwich at once.

Great for the end users like us, but I'll bet the guy in charge of production was grousing :D
In order to be certain of having the right tool for every job.........one must first acquire a lot of tools


us Offline Yadda

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 3,578
  • Lifelike and remarkably self similar
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #18 on: July 03, 2014, 07:46:46 PM
I joined this club this week. Thanks to the wonderful enablers that kept posting pictures here and there with these odd wrenches. Mine has the original triangular jaw.

Picture to be posted this evening when I get home. Baby Footprint about 5.5 inches when fully closed. 

The original screw is gone :(
Does anyone sell a decent replacement screw for these tools?
"It didn't hurt, flirt, blood squirt, stuffed shirt, hang me on a tree
After I count down three rounds, in Hell I'll be in good company" -  The Dead South



gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #20 on: July 03, 2014, 10:04:23 PM
 :D
Welcome to the club Phil  :salute:

I joined this club this week. Thanks to the wonderful enablers that kept posting pictures here and there with these odd wrenches. Mine has the original triangular jaw.

Picture to be posted this evening when I get home. Baby Footprint about 5.5 inches when fully closed. 

The original screw is gone :(
Does anyone sell a decent replacement screw for these tools?

Not that I know of and I think the thread has changed on them over the years  :think:
Everything’s adjustable


au Offline MultiMat

  • *
  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 8,694
  • The MTO handshake.
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #21 on: July 04, 2014, 05:28:44 AM
I think I need a small & a medium 'Footy' to go with my biggie  :think: :D :D

"Downunder Mod (that sounds dirty, doesn't it?)"
Yeh Baby :P >:D >:D


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #22 on: July 04, 2014, 08:30:29 AM
I'm sure we can work something out Matt  ;)
Everything’s adjustable


us Offline David

  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 7,603
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #23 on: July 04, 2014, 09:46:19 AM
Found an older Footprint with the narrower jaw.
What? Enablers! Are you serrrrious? Where? I dont see any.
Hold Fast


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #24 on: July 04, 2014, 09:13:24 PM
Found an older Footprint with the narrower jaw.

You found them wandering free in the wild, in the USA? 
They traveled a long way from home  :o
Everything’s adjustable


gb Offline Cupboard

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 2,017
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #25 on: July 04, 2014, 09:51:24 PM
I hadn't realised the rusty bit of metal in my cupboard that looked useful for something was an actual thing!
Of course seeing as it's rusty it had to be sparky ;)





The screwdriver is twisted and it must be missing the original screw.
My head is a bit of a mix of the above too, it's "A" shaped but has the filler of "B".

Someone gave me an old tool kit for something I was doing last year, I couldn't see this being any use in that but it did look like something that would be useful to keep. So I did.


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #26 on: July 04, 2014, 09:59:49 PM
 :D
Welcome to the club Mate  :salute:

Yours will come-in-handy one day  :tu:
Everything’s adjustable


gb Offline Cupboard

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 2,017
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #27 on: July 04, 2014, 10:18:13 PM
I've just bought a new thumb adjusting 12" for the princely sum of £20.
That will be going to work with me.


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #28 on: July 04, 2014, 10:47:22 PM
I've just bought a new thumb adjusting 12" for the princely sum of £20.
That will be going to work with me.

 :gimme:
You know we need pictures of the new pair please
Everything’s adjustable


gb Offline Cupboard

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 2,017
Re: “Footprint's” Owners club
Reply #29 on: July 04, 2014, 11:45:13 PM
if you want one, these are the cheapest I found on the intertubes:

https://www.cromwell.co.uk/FOO5204612C


 

Donations

Operational Funds

Help us keep the Unworkable working!
Donate with PayPal!
March Goal: $300.00
Due Date: Mar 31
Total Receipts: $379.86
PayPal Fees: $19.62
Net Balance: $360.24
Above Goal: $60.24
Site Currency: USD
120% 
March Donations

Community Links


Powered by EzPortal