Anyone know what this radiator type key is for?

[Dave54]

Photo0066.jpg (23.42 KiB) Viewed 2462 times

Sorry for the bad photo!
Anyone know what this key is for?
It was "hiding" in a corner of my late FILs plumbing toolbox.
Not seen one with a knurled nut on top like that before.
The nut doesn't really appear to do anything, but does look like part of the original key. It was done up when I found it.
I use the box to keep the plumbing kit in, but I've never tidied it up until now!

[dewaltdisney]

I seem to recall that some old radiator bleed nipples had a recessed pin in the centre. I think the key sat on the hex and the knurled nut depressed the recessed pin? I might have imagined this?

DWD

[Dave54]

I've not seen them like that Walt. Not saying it's not that, but just that I haven't seen one!
The pin in this one is seized by the look of it. I'll see if I can free it.
Can't find anything like it online.

[Razor]

Would you mind if I put it in the gas fitters only forum on another site Dave? Someone might know why it's like that

[Bob225]

Square end i take it ? is the end of the pin a point, threaded or has a slot cut in it ?

it reminds me of a Schrader valve removal tool or an adjustable idle mixture screw off a carb

[dewaltdisney]

I think this is what was in my mind Dave https://www.ukaa.com/chrome-knurled-air-vent-5296

DWD

[Dave54]

Would you mind if I put it in the gas fitters only forum on another site Dave? Someone might know why it's like that

Don't mind at all mate. I'd like to know what it is if only for interest's sake!

[Dave54]

Square end i take it ? is the end of the pin a point, threaded or has a slot cut in it ?

it reminds me of a Schrader valve removal tool or an adjustable idle mixture screw off a carb

Yes, square end, and fits the usual type of bleed valve. I haven't pulled it apart yet. I'll give it a drop of penetrating oil tomorrow and see if it'll shift.

The thing is that the recess seems deeper than the pin, if pin it is. It could be for something else I suppose and been used for a rad key, there were several knocking around in his kit.
I don't think I've ever had to buy one!

[Bob225]

another wild guess, its a radiator vent taping (thread chaser) tool

[Dave54]

I think this is what was in my mind Dave https://www.ukaa.com/chrome-knurled-air-vent-5296

DWD

I've seen something similar somewhere myself now you've posted that.
When I first saw this thing, I thought it was something similar with a knurled bleed screw, but that'd be sort of pointless really. . .

[Dave54]

another wild guess, its a radiator vent taping (thread chaser) tool

It's all brass. Don't know what the thread is offhand.
3.5 mm diameter exactly though, and close to 0.6 pitch so probably metric.

[eft]

Intresting tool...What type of bleed screw does it fit i.e. . square or Triangle head

[dewaltdisney]

Read the thread it has been clarified it is square.

DWD

[Razor]

I did ask in the top secret gas guys forum but no one had seen one there either!

[Dave54]

I did ask in the top secret gas guys forum but no one had seen one there either!

Thanks Razor. I never found out either.
Strangely enough I was having a tidy up just yesterday, and it was in my little tray "for bits" on the desk so I put it away.